By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Kandi Comer is the PGA of America Director of Golf at Orchard Creek in Waynesboro, Virginia. She is a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional and has earned awards from the Middle Atlantic PGA Section, the Virginia State Golf Association and U.S. Kids Golf. She is a 2020 inductee into the Virginia State Golf Hall of Fame. Comer has also been recognized by Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine and Golf For Women for her many years of teaching and coaching.
Comer’s students include beginners, seasoned players and even former Tour professionals like Dottie Pepper, who Comer once played with in the 1986 Curtis Cup Matches against Great Britain and Ireland. We are happy to highlight Kandi Comer in this month’s Five Questions feature.
Golf Range Magazine: When did you get your start in golf, and who got you into the game?
Comer: I first got into golf at the age of 11 when I had to give up horse jumping and fox hunting after becoming allergic to horses. My father was the one who introduced me to the game in my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.
Golf Range Magazine: Did you play golf in high school or college, and when did you know you wanted to be a PGA of America Golf Professional?
Comer: I played a couple of seasons for my high school golf team before turning my focus to national and regional junior and amateur tournaments due to scheduling conflicts. From there, I played collegiate golf at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and represented the United States in the Curtis Cup Matches. Becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional allowed me to stay in the game after retiring from playing professionally.
Golf Range Magazine: What’s trending in your programming and instruction at your facility?
Comer: Extending junior programs to a year-round schedule by offering indoor clinics on the simulator during the winter has allowed us to grow those programs and keep kids hooked on golf while avoiding attrition to basketball and other sports. Introducing all ages and levels to the game with an emphasis on fun and then adding technique instruction throughout progression has increased enjoyment and returning customers.
Offering themed clinics for our adults that include a meal and beverages has not only made the game a desired experience for all levels but has also helped our restaurant business. I usually choose to offer these clinics on a slow night for the restaurant. We offer clinics such as Bourbon and Wedges, during which we do a bourbon tasting with appetizers following the wedge clinic.
Our ladies-themed clinics include 30 minutes of instruction, followed by games and challenges that divide the participants into teams. This makes for fun times with everyone pulling for their own team! When we are done, we go to the restaurant for a light dinner and a beverage.
My private coaching programs have also taken off. Many of my students see me regularly. We work on all aspects of the game and spend time on the golf course to work on course management. On-course instruction helps show the golfer what shots to hit so they play the higher percentage shots which leads to lower scores.
I also have these golfers keep stats using the Clippd program. This makes the golfers aware of what they are doing on the course. Clippd does a great job of showing the golfer what is most important to their golf game to help them shoot lower scores. Once the golfer posts their rounds in Clippd, I get notified and can go in and look at what the golfer improved on and what we still need to work on. This helps me set up practice plans for our students in our coaching programs.
Golf Range Magazine: What is your favorite part of the game of golf? The business of golf?
Comer: My favorite part of the game of golf are the lifelong friendships that you can build with unique and incredible people. I also love using the business of golf to help individuals improve, which makes them love the sport. I am very passionate about growing the game of golf for juniors and women.
Golf Range Magazine: What does the future hold in golf for you? What’s on the horizon in teaching and mentorship as a proven leader in golf coaching and instruction?
Comer: In the future, I hope to focus even more on my passion – giving back to the game that has given so much to me and growing it for juniors and beginners who may otherwise not have an opportunity to be introduced to the great game of golf.
